Derek Dickinson, Minister

Hi! We're Derek and Dellie Dickinson. Let us tell you a little bit about ourselves. We are 37 and 41 (we'll let you guess who's who) and will be married twelve years this coming August We have been blessed with four delightful children: Joseph (age 11), Jackson (age 9), Maria (age 7) and Anthony (age 5).

I (Derek) became a Christian at an early age and rededicated myself to the faith during my years as a business major at Taylor University after a time of searching for logical reasons to believe the Bible's claims about Jesus Christ. My wife has taken a more unique road to faith that requires more than one cup of coffee to tell, but was finally baptized while in graduate school earning her master's degree in counseling. It was while we were in graduate school at Cincinnati Bible Seminary that we met, fell in love and were married. I was working on two degrees in theology and one in education, but more importantly was storing ice cream in Dellie's freezer just down the hall. We got to know each other over ice cream and the rest is history.

I have served as a minister for 14 years; first in Kentucky and then in Indiana, and am currently involved in planting Journey Christian Church. Dellie worked as a therapist at St. Francis Hospital for five years (prior to that was in private practice), and is currently employed at Hope Counseling Center in Fairbanks as a Licensed Professional Counselor. In July of 2003 we left Indiana and enjoyed a once in a lifetime trip across the country from Indianapolis, Indiana to Fairbanks, Alaska to start a new congregation (Journey Christian Church).

We would love the opportunity to get to know you and invite you to join us as we begin the exciting new adventure of Journey Christian Church!

Kristin Elieff, Administrative Assistant

Hi, my name is Kristin Elieff and I am the church's Administrative Assistant. I serve as the secretary and bookkeeper as well as trying to ease the load on Pastor Derek whenever I can. I have been attending Journey since the beginning and have been on staff for a little over a year now. It has been very satisfying to see how we've grown over the last few years; especially this last year as we have made our way from a "baby church" to a "toddler church." It's exciting to see where God has taken us from, to where we are, to where He has pointed us next. I'm learning even more that He is in control and sometimes you just gotta sit back and yell "Yee Haw!" as He takes us on the adventure of a lifetime!

Speaking of adventure, our church's motto is "Where Faith & Adventure Meet." I suppose I have always lived by this motto, although usually it was me finding myself in hot water and then saying "Please God, get me outta this!" Oh well, I guess "Where Faith & Adventure Meet" is different for everyone and changes through the chapters in our lives. I can especially relate this year. I am a new mom! Hooray! My new adventure as a mom has been wonderful and my husband and I fall deeper in love with our daughter every day.

If you are scouting out this website in anticipation of visiting us some Sunday morning, then I can't wait to meet you and look forward to hearing about the adventures that brought you to us. If you are unable to join us in person, but are still looking to be connected to what we are offering here, then I welcome you too, for you are still part of the body of Christ even if it is a virtual one!

David and Florie Wilcoxson, Worship Leaders

Hello, we are David and Florie Wilcoxson and have recently joined the leadership team at Journey. Our focus of ministry is in the area of praise and worship music.

Fairbanks has been our home together for over 23 years and we have been leading worship here most of that time. (Florie was actually born here). We have been married for 34 years, enjoy our three children and their spouses, and our six grandchildren. David works as a music teacher for the school district and Florie works at the university.

We have seen that God is doing a fresh and exciting thing with Journey Christian Church in Fairbanks and we are glad to be part of it.

Kimberly Nelson, Fellowship Director & Teen Ministry Leader

Thanks for visiting our Staff Website!

My name is Kimberly Nelson, and I have the privilege of being Fellowship Director at Journey. I am married to a wonderful, beautiful man named Bob Nelson. We have three vibrant children named Vinny, CJ, and Mira. Although I was born in San Diego, California, my family moved to Denver, Colorado which I consider it to be my hometown.

Late 2005, we had a series of events change our family. I met my husband and soon started to pray about where we stood on having a long distance relationship. Bob lived in North Pole, Alaska and I remained in Denver until we determined through much prayer that it was best for the children and me to move to Alaska. After the treacherous 3 day drive up the Al-Can Highway, we made it to Fairbanks in July of 2006 and during our first hour in the area, we stepped into my first Journey Christian Church service.

I didn't know too many people in the area and there were a small handful of people who waited in anticipation of our arrival. I'll never forget the warm handshakes, the smiles and the embraces we received. It reminded me of His love towards us, too.

In Romans 5:8 it says, "But God demonstrates His own love for us." I could only be but a reflection of those that welcomed me first to Journey. If you see me, come and say hello. Until then, we will be praying for that time when you also step into our time together to praise and worship Him.

Mike and Amy Edmunds, Men's & Community Children's Ministries Leaders

We are Mike and Amy Edmunds, and we are happy to be a part of the Journey adventure. We married in 1994 after meeting in college, and then began serving in TN in children's ministry. In 1999 we moved to IN to serve in Children's Ministry, and now transitioned again in 2008 to serve in Fairbanks to work with the men's and children's ministries.

Mike grew up in a few southern states and has enjoyed hunting and trapping. Fairbanks offers a whole new world of adventure and learning in that realm. Amy was raised in Florida, but don't let that fool you; she's quite taken with AK from visiting family we have in the state (even in the winter). Amy enjoys reading and organizing and is ready to move with Mike to their "next new adventure" in Fairbanks.

Our desire is to serve God through providing opportunities to not only connect with His people and Word, but to help families create a lifestyle of following Christ at home, seven days a week, because our journey is more than just a Sunday event.

Rich and Jan Eide, Sunday Children's Ministry Leaders

We are so grateful to serve the Journey Christian Church in children's ministry. I (Rich) have a long history of sharing the good news to children of all ages through decades of work with AWANA and am glad to continue serving Christ as the leader of Children's Church. We're excited to share Christ as we build meaningful relationships with Journey's kids. We appreciate the trust and support we receive from the parents of Journey.

One of my favorite quotes is from missionary/martyr Jim Elliot who said, "He is no fool that gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose." We're thrilled to give our prayers, time and effort to helping kids spend an eternity with God.

Rich and Jan

Shawn Denny, Webmaster

Greetings from Shawn and Susan Denny!

You won't see either Susan or I wandering around on Sundays in church. Why? Well, mainly because the journey to get to Alaska from Upland, Indiana is a bit of a trek for an every weekend event. Even so, being a virtual partner in the ministry of Journey has been a great experience and gives me an opportunity to serve Christ using the skills I have.

My aim is to be responsive to the needs of the church on its web site. I look forward to continuing to build the outreach and ministry of Journey Christian Church as it grows, and am dedicated to providing a web experience that reflects the ministry and the character of the church.

"Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones." 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13